Texas A&M football fans flinch as Aggies sustain second decommitment in one day

Early on in the 2026 cycle, Texas A&M football took some pretty quick commitments from a couple of players that they clearly saw as value adds. Whether the industry ended up seeing them in the same way as the Aggies— as was the case with a player like Chace Sims in this previous cycle— or never came around, it was evident that this A&M staff at least was high on the potential of a few of these players.

One such guy was Ryan Gilbert, a defensive back out of the Dallas area. Gilbert was a three-star when he committed, and his rating has hovered right around there ever since.

Gilbert and Markel Ford, both three-star defensive back prospects out of the Metroplex, were early pledges in the upcoming cycle. Now, though, Ford is the lone man left committed to the Aggies out of that duo after Gilbert chose to back off of his pledge earlier today.

Texas A&M football sustains second decommitment of day after Ryan Gilbert backs off pledge

Gilbert tweeted out his decision earlier in the day.

The Aggies haven't added any other defensive back prospects yet in the class (outside of the aforementioned Markel Ford, that is), but they've been in contact with plenty of them and have strong leads in several recruitments— Brandon Arrington being a prime example.

All that to say, while I think the Aggies would have rather Gilbert remained in the fold, as they clearly valued his upside, it is not as though they are completely bereft of options at this point. Ish Aristide, Mike Elko, and Jordan Peterson have built some strong relationships in this upcoming cycle, and I feel that they'll close well with a solid defensive back class when all is said and done.

It's never great to have a decommitment, much less two in one day, but the Aggies can rebound here. There will be opportunity in this class to add some more talent at the position, and this staff will no doubt avail themselves of just such an opportunity.